The State Department will begin evacuating families and nonessential staff from the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv this week, according to a travel advisory published Sunday evening.
Why it matters: The move underscores U.S. fears that a Russian invasion could destabilize Ukraine and threaten the embassy’s ability to assist Americans.
The latest: White House press secretary Jen Psaki said at a briefing on Monday that the U.S. does not intend to carry out an Afghanistan-like military evacuation, which is why Americans should leave Ukraine now.
Driving the news: “On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees and ordered the departure of eligible family members from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action,” the State Department said in a travel advisory.
Between the lines: Senior State Department officials told reporters on a briefing call that it was not a specific change in the security situation that led to Sunday’s decision, but the “totality” of the Russian military buildup and threatening posture toward Ukraine over the last several months.
The big picture: Russia continues to amass forces on all sides of the Ukrainian border, including with significant new deployments to Belarus and additional military aid to Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine.
Go deeper… In photos: Behind the frontlines in Ukraine
Editor’s note: This article has been updated with new details throughout.
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